Frances Irena Barnum was the second youngest daughter of P.T. Barnum, one of the most famous showmen of the 19th century. He is best known for his circus, “The Greatest Show on Earth.” Frances Irena was one of the four daughters of Barnum with first wife Charity. Unlike her siblings, Frances passed away 11 months after her birth. Find out more about the Barnum family in the following paragraphs.
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Life and Family of Frances Irena Barnum
Born to the famous American showman, Phineas T. Barnum, in Danbury, Fairfield, Connecticut, United States, on May 1, 1843, Frances Irena Barnum died shortly after her birth. She was laid to rest in Mount Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport, Fairfield, Connecticut, United States after her death on April 10th, 1844. Her parents married on 8 November 1829. Then Frances’s mother died on November 19, 1873. Her father’s final resting place is in Mountain Grove Cemetery, Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Who is Frances Irene’s Father?
Phineas Taylor Barnum was born on July 5th, 1810, in Bethel, Fairfield County in Connecticut, United States. He was the son of a poor farmer. When he was only 13 years old, he started working as a clerk in a grocery store. He was soon promoted to manager of the store. In 1834, Barnum married Charity Hallett. They had four children together- Caroline Cornelia (1833–1911), Helen Maria (1840–1915), Frances Irena (1842–1844), and Pauline Taylor (1846–1877).
After the death of his first with Phineas Taylor married Nancy Fish, who was 40 years his junior. Barnum was very interested in politics and served in the Connecticut legislature from 1837 to 1839. In 1841, Barnum opened his first museum in New York City. He called it “Barnum’s American Museum.” In 1871, P.T. Barnum founded “The Greatest Show on Earth,” a circus that featured circus acts, animals, and freaks.
He has authored many books including his autobiography “Life of P. T. Barnum”, written in 1855.
Later in life Barnum also got involved in the political arena. He also helped to elect Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States. Barnum was a very kind and generous man. He donated a lot of money to charities. He passed away due to stroke on April 7, 1891, at the age of 80.
Legacy of P.T Barnum
P.T. Barnum was a 19th century American showman, businessman, and circus owner. He is primarily renowned for his contributions to the circus, which he established in 1871. The circus became famous for its “freak shows” and Barnum’s ability to promote them. Barnum’s circus was one of the most successful businesses of its time, and it contributed to the circus’s popularity as an American institution. Barnum was a skilled showman who used his abilities to market his circus and its attractions. He was well-known for his use of publicity stunts to draw attention to his circus. Barnum’s legacy is multifaceted.
On the one hand, he was a skillful businessman and showman who contributed to the establishment of an American institution. His circus, on the other hand, was infamous for exploiting “freaks” and other human anomalies. Barnum’s work in the circus has earned him both praise and criticism. Critics claim that Barnum’s circus exploited its performers and that he was more concerned with profit than with providing quality entertainment.
Conclusion
Barnum supporters claim that he was a skilled showman who offered delight to millions of people. They also note that Barnum’s circus was among the first to hire African American performers, and that he was an early proponent of women’s rights. Barnum’s legacy is still being contested. He was, without a question, a superb showman and businessman who had a huge impact on American culture.